Sealing closure



c. P. KRUPP 2,385,816

SEALING CLOSURE Oct. 2, 1945.

4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 4, 1943 0a., 2, 1945. c, R KRU P 2,385,816

SEALING CLOSURE Filed. March 4, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 iii Oct. 2, 1945. c. P. KRUPP 2,385,816

SEALING CLOSURE Filed March 4, 194:5 4 Sheets-Sheet s "awn:

70 7/ JEUEEZQL 74 1 [5530 Fz'fiiuPP Oct. 2, 1945. c. P. KRUPP 2,385,816

SEALING CLOSURE Filed March 4, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 iI'IIIIVIIII/Tlr Patented Oct. 2, 1945 SEALING GIIOBURE Carroll P. Kruip, Akron, Ohio, aslignor to The B. F. Goodrich Company, New corporation of New York York, N. Y., a,

Application March 4, 1943, Serial 1W0. 477,970

" 13 Claims. ((11. 2-90) This invention relates to scaling closures and is especially useful for closing and sealing. adjacent margins that are flexible, for example, margins of inflatable suits for aviators.

The principal objects of the invention are to provide for closing and sealing adjacent margins effectively, to provide for maintaining sealing of flexible margins during their fiexure, and to provide for simplicity of construction and effectiveness of operation.

Other objects are to provide means for lipaction sealing of adjacent margins, and to provide 'means for closing and sealing adjacent double-faced margins at their respective faces.

Further objects are to provide an improved sealing closure for detachably uniting adjacent margins, to provide means for sealing effectively the end of the closure, and to provide for sealing of the closure during bending, inwardly or outwardly of the margins and even to a large extent during twisting of the margins.

These and other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings illustrating embodiments of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and in'which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a sealing closure constructed in accordance with and embodying the invention, parts being broken away and in section,

Fig. 1A is a sectional view showing the closing elements of Fig. 1 in a disengaged condition,

Figs. 2 and 4 are views like Fig. 1 showing, respectively, modified construction of the sealing closure,

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken 3-3 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 5 is a view like Fig. 1 showing a further modification, a

Fig, 6 is a plan view of the sealing closure of Fig. 1 applied at an opening in the wall of a body, parts being broken away,

Fig. 7 is sectional view taken along line l'| of Fig. 6,

I along line Fig. 8 isa sectional view taken along line 8-8 taken along line Ill-i0 of Fig. 9,

Fig. 11 is a sectional view like Fig. 10 showing an alternate construction when the closing elements are arranged as shown in Fig. 6,

Fig. 12 is a. plan view of a closed end arrangement of the sealing closure shown in Fig. 2 and including a clamping structure for sealing the end, Fig. 13 is a sectional view'taken along line I3-l3 of F18. 12, I I

Fig. 14 is a sectional view taken along line "-44 of Fig. 12,

Fig. 15is a view like Fig. 12 showing a modified construction of the end sealing arrangement,

Fig. 16 is a sectional vie taken along line l6l8 of Fig. 15, and

Fig. 17 is a sectional view't taken along line ll-ll of Fig. 15. x

The construction of Figs. 1 and 1A includes adjacent margins 30 and 3i, and a pair of closing elements 32 and 33 disposed at the margins in an overlapping relation to one another. One of the closing elements 33 has a flexible marginal portion 34 tapering to an edge 35 for sealing by lipaction of the edge in contact with a sealing surface 36 on the other element 32. Fastener means, such, for example, as a slide fastener 3'! and runner 38 arrangement may, if desired, be provided for detachably uniting the margins 30 and 3i.

For some applications such, for example, as inflatable suits for aviators, wearing apparel, tents, and other like articles, a preferred form of the invention, as illustrated in Fig. i1, includes the adjacent margins 30 and 3| of woven fabric or other suitable flexible material and the pair of closing elements 32 and 33 of resilient rubber or other rubber-like material or other suitable flexible material disposed at a face of the respective margins in an overlapping relation to one another. Slide fastener elements 31a and 31b are secured, desirably, at the opposing edges of the margins 30 and M for co-acting with each other and with a runner 38 to unite detachably the margins and thereby position the closing elements in an overlapping and sealing relation.

The closing elements may be secured to the respective margins by rubber cement or other suitable adhesive material or by other suitable fastening means. Preferably, these elements 32 and 33 are molded and vulcanized integrally with the margins 3|! and 3|, as shown especially in Fig. 1A, the faces of the margins having a thin coating 30a and 30h, 3m and 3lb of rubber for preventing leakage of fluid, such as'air or water, therethrough and for facilitating adhering the margins to articles having walls of woven fabric,

for example, coated or impregnated with rubber. As shown especially in Fig. 1A, each closing element 32, 33 comprises a base portion 32a, 33a

at a face of one of the margins 30, 3| and a lat- 33 is held pressed in sliding contact with the sealing surface 38 on the element 32 for providinga seal by lip-action of the edge 35 by virtue paced-apart relation.

of resilient fiexure oi the marginal portion 34 of the element 33. as shown by broken lines in Fig. 1A, while opposing areas 36a and 4| on the respective elements 32 and 33 adjacent the edge 35 are maintained in spaced-apart relation so that the lip-action of the'edge will not be interfered with by engagement of adjacent'surfaces. It has been found that the pressing and sliding action of the edge 35 against the'sealing' surface 36 is maintained during bending, inwardly or outwardly, of the margins 30, 3| and even to a large extent during twisting of these margins.

The sealing closure described hereinabove is shown in Fig. 6, in which embodiment it may be used for closing adjacent margins 45 and 48 of an opening in the wall. of an article, such, for example, as an inflatable suit for aviators. The wall of the suit is made, desirably, of flexible, substantially impervious material like woven fabric coated or impregnated with rubber or other rubher-like material. The margins 3|) and 3| of the closure are secured to the exterior face of the wall of the suit at the respective margins 45 and 48 by a suitable adhesive such as rubber cement, or by sewing, or both, and are disposed such that the closing elements 32, 33 extend through the opening to the interior of the suit in the manner shown especially in Fig. 7. A covering and reinforcing strip 41 of rubber-coated fabric, for example, is superimposed on the margins 30 and 3| and secured thereto and to the wall by .a suitabieadhesive material, or by sewing, or both, thus providing further sealing of the margins 30 and 3|, 45 and 46'against leakage of fluid from within the suit. The strip 41 also seals the ends of the margins 30 and 3|, as shown in Fig. 6.

The base portion 32a, 33a of the closing elements at the respective ends of the margins 30 and 3| may be provided with a reinforcing shoulder portion 32c, 33c tapered in cross-section for facilitating sealing the end portions of the closing elements, especially at the interior of the suit. The closing elements at the opposing areas 36a and 4| of the marginal portions 35 and 39 are secured together at the ends of the sealing closure by means of a suitable adhesive material, and a covering strip 48 of woven fabric coated or impregnated with rubber or other rubber-like material is superimposed at the interior face of the wall upon the closing elements in the manner shown especially in Figs. 6 and 8, and is adhered in place by rubber cement, for example. Thus the ends of the sealing closure are sealed at the respective exterior and interior faces of the wall of the inflatable suit. The closure arrangement is united. desirably, into an integral structure by vulcanization.

In theoperation of the sealing closure, the wearer of the suit engages the margins 30, 3| including the slide fastener 31 by moving the run- The closing elements 32, 33 are capable inherently of closing and sealing effectively the opening in the wall of the inflatable suit initially by virtue of their construction and arrangement providing initial resilient pressure of the lip against the 'sealing surface and the maintenance of the seal by lip-action of the edge 35 of the resilient marginal portion 34 in sliding contact with the sealing surface 36 is assisted by the action of the dominant pressure within the suit upon the closing element 33 tending to hold the edge 35 against the sealing surface 38 despite bending, inwardly or outwardly, and even to a large extent during twisting of the adjacent margins 45, 46 of the opening in the wall of the suit.

Fig. 9 illustrates an arrangement for the use of the sealing closure as shown in Figs. 1 and 1A for closing and sealing the margins 50, 5| of an opening in the wall of an article, such, for example, as a tent or wading boot 0: suit, having under some conditions dominant fluid pressure at the exterior face of the wall, in which construction another form of seal for the end of the opening is provided. In Fig. 9 the opening extends at one end to the edge 52 of the free marginal portion 53 of the wall for permitting extensive separation of the margins 50, 5| thereb facilitating, for example, the entrance and exit to and from the tent or facilitating the donning of the boot or garment; while the other end of the opening may be closed substantially as illustrated in Fig. 6.

The margins 30 and 3| are secured at the interior face of the respective margins 50'and 5| by a suitable adhesive, or by sewing, or both, and are disposed such that the closing elements 32 and 33 extend through the opening to the exterior face of the wall. For convenience of operating the sealing closure from the exterior face of the wall, the runner 33 has a projecting element 38a extending outwardly between the resilient marginal portions 34. 38 of the closingelements 32, 33 for mounting a pull-tab 38b, as shown especially in Fig. 10. A covering and reinforcing strip 54 of rubber-coated fabric. for example, is superimposed on the margins 30 and 3|, and secured thereto and to the interior face of the wall b a suitable adhesive, or by sewing, or both, thus providing further sealing of the margins 30, 3| against leakage of fluid.

The end of the sealing closure arrangement at the region of the margin 53 of the wall is sealed, preferably, by a clamping structure 55 oi stiff material such, for example, as steelor plastic material, and including a backing plate 55 at the interior face of the wall and a pivoting bracket support 51 at the exterior face of the wall for mounting an adjustable clamping member 58 for engaging the closing elements 32, 33. A base portion 51a of the bracket support '51 and the backing plate 56 are secured to the respective faces of the wall at the margin 5| by a pair of spaced-apart rivets 59 extending through apertures in the margins 3| and BI and the covering strip 54 and by a suitable adhesive. A-bracket element 51b is pivotally mounted on a rivet 80 in a depending leg 510 of the base portion 57a, the bracket element 51b having a threaded aperture in a laterally extending portion Bid for engaging an adjusting screw 53a rotatively secured to a clamping element 581;, as shown in Fig. 10. The adjusting screw 58a has a knurled head 580 for convenience of adjusting the clamping element 58b.

The clamping element 58b has depending sidewalls 58d and 58e for supporting the base portions Mg/and 33a of the closing elements 32 and 33, and has 9. depending margin 33! and 58g of suitable shape at each end for pressing against the resilient marginal portions 34 and 39 of'the closing elements to provide a sealing contact at their opposed areas 36a and 4!. The

. clamping element 582) encloses the runner 38 and the pull-tab 38b in the space between the sidewalls and the depending margins.

In the operation of closing and sealing the end of the closure arrangement shown in Fig; 9, the clamping element 581) is disposed in a retracted position adjacent the laterally extending portion of the bracket element 51b, and the bracket element including the adjustable clamping member 58 is pivoted from the upright position shown in Fig. 10 to a position extending along the wall for permitting passage of the runner 38 while engaging the slide fastener 31.

Upon engagement of the slide fastener, the bracket element 511) is swung back to the upmargins 58f and 589 at the ends of the clamping element press the opposed areas of the resilient marginal portions 34 and 39 together and against the slide fastener elements 31a and 31b which are supported by thev backing plate 51, thereby sealing effectively the end of the sealing closure at the region of the marginal portion 53 0f the wall.

Fig. 11 illustrates an alternative construction for the clamping structure when the closing elements are positioned at the other or interior face of the wall. The margins 3llrand 3| of the sealing closure'are secured adhesively at the exterior face of the margins 50 and 5| of the opening in the wall and a covering strip 64 superimposed thereon. A backing plate 66 at the interior face of the wall and pivoting bracket support 51 at the exterior face of the wall are united by the spaced-apart rivets '59. An adjustable clamping member 68 for pressing the slide fastener and runner against the closing elements includes an adjusting screw 63a engaging the bracket element 51b. The screw 68a is rotatively secured to a pressing element 88b which engages the runner 38. The backing plate 66 has a grooved por-- tion 66a for providing backing support for the closing elements 32 and 33. p

In the operation of the clamping structure shown in Fig. 11, the slide fastener 31 is engaged after the bracket element 51b and the adjustable clamping member 33 which is in a retracted D tion, have been pivoted from the upright position about the rivet 60. Upon engagement of the slide fastener, the bracket support 51b including the member 33 is swung back to the upright position. The adjusting screw 33a is manipulated to contact the pressing element "b with the runner 33 and to press the runner against the closing elements until the opposing areas "a and 4| of the marginal portions 34 and 33 are in abutting relation. Thus the end of the closure is sealed effectively against the leakage of fluid.

The modified construction shown in Figs. 2 and 3 is especially suitable for closing adjacent double-faced margins at an opening in the wall of an article, where the wall is under fluid pressure at both faces and may have dominant pressure existing alternately at the respective faces. 1. e., a partition in a fluid container. Adjacent double-faced margins I0 and II of woven fabric or other suitable flexible material have disposed at one of the faces a pair of elements 12 and 13 of resilient rubber or other rubber-like material for closing the margins 10 and H by an overlapping relation of the elements 12 and I3, and have disposed at the other face a second pair of elements 14 and 15 of resilient rubber or other rubber-like material for closing similarly the margins 10 and II. has a marginal portion 18, ll tapering to an edge 18, 19 for contacting a, sealing surface 80, 8| on the other. element l2, 14 in sealing relation therewith by lip-action of the edge 1.8, 19. Slide fas-' tener elements 82a and 82b are secured, desirably, at the opposing edges of the margins 10 and H for co-acting with each other and with a runner 83 to unite detachably the margins and thereby position the respective pairs of closing elements 12 and l3, l4 and 15 in an overlapping and sealing relation.

Preferably, each pair of elements 12 and", 14 and 15 are molded and vulcanized integrally with the margins Ill and II and are constructed and arranged at the respective faces of the-margins in a manner like that described hereinabove for the closing elements 32 and 33 of the construction illustrated in Figs. 1 and 1A. During engagement of the margins 10 and H the respective pairs of elements #2 and l3, l4 and 15 close the margins by an overlapping relationof the elements while the respective edges 18 and 13 of the elements 13 and 15 are held pressed resiliently in sliding contact with the respective sealing surfaces and 8| on the elements 12 and 13 for providing a seal by lip-action of the edges 18 and 19 by virtue of the resilient flexure of the marginal portions 11 and 16 while opposing areas on the respective pairs of elements 12 and l3, l4 and 15 adjacent the edges 18 and I9 are maintained in spaced-apart relation, so that the lipaction of the edges will not be interfered with by engagement of adjacent surfaces. Tests have shown that the pressing and sliding action of the edges 18 and i9 against the sealing surfaces 80 One element I3, 15 of each pair material. This the sealing closure. shown in Figs. 2 and 3 provides an effective seal at the two faces of the margins.

For convenience and ease of operation of the sealing closure, the rumier 93 engaging the slide fastener elements 82a and 9221 has a depending portion 93a for engaging a pull-tab 83b positioned exteriorly of the closing elements at a face of the margins, as shown especially in Fig. 3. The depending portion 83a is arranged at a side of the runner 83 such that it extends through the space between the opposed areas of the marginal portions of the closing elements in a manner providing for minimum breakage of the lip seal and for minimum eiTort in sliding the runner 89 along the slide fastener.

The modified closure construction including end sealing means as shown in Fig. 12 is applied, for example, to a flexible partition 05 in a compartmented container for fluids, such as water, air, and other liquids and gases. Desirably, the partition 85, which may be of woven fabric coated or impregnated with rubber or other rubberlike material although not necessarily limited thereto, has the sealing closure at an opening for permitting the inspecting and cleaning, for example, of the respective compartments, or even the passing of a workman thcrethrough.

The margins and H of the closure are secured by a suitable adhesive material, or by sewing. or both, to a face of the adjacent margins 95a and 85b of the opening, the closing elements l2 to being disposed at the opening as shown especially in Fig. 14. A covering and reinforcing strip 86 of flexible material such, for example, as woven fabric coated or impregnated with rubber or other rubber-like material is superimposed on and adhered as by rubber cement to the margins 10 and ll and to the partition 95 for further sealing of the margins 10 and TI The ends oi the margins 10 and II and the closing elements 12 to 15 are sealed at the respective faces of the partition by a pair of covering elements 81 and 88 of flexible material such, for example, as woven fabric coated or impregnated with rubber or other rubber-like material, as shown in Fig. 13. The end portions of therespective pairs of closing elements 12 and I3, 14 and 15 are adhered together by a suitable adhesive material at theiroverlapping and opposed areas at the region of the covering strips 8'! and 98. The arrangement may be united integrally by molding and vulcanization.

A clamping structure 99 at the end of the sealing closure adjacent the covering strips 81 and 88 provides additional sealing of the end for preventing leakage of fluid. The clamping structure 89 of still material such, for example, as steel or plastic material, includes a backing plate 90 at a face of the partition 05 and a pivoting bracket support assembly 9i, 92 at the other face of the partition for mounting an adjustable clamping member 93 for engaging the closing" elements 14 and 15. Base portions 91a of the bracket support and the backing plate 90 are secured, preferably, to the respective faces of the partition at the adjacent margins 85a and 8511 by spaced-apart rivets 95 extending through apertures in the margins 10, II, 85a and 85b and the covering and reinforcing strip 86 and by a suitable adhesive material. A channel element 92 of the bracket support assembly is plvotally mounted on depending legs 9Ib of the base portions 9|a by rivets 95 and 96, the channel element 92 having a threaded aperture in a laterally extending portion 92a for engaging an adjusting screw 93a rotativcly sccured to a. clamping element 93b, as shown in Fig. 14. The adjusting screw 93a has a knurled head 990 for conveniently adjusting the clamping element 93b. The clamping element 93b is lik the clamping element 58b, and accommodates simi-' larly the runner 83 including the portion 83a and the pull-tab 03b and engages in a. similar manner the closing elements 14 and 15.

The operation of closing and sealing the end of the closure arrangement shown in. Fig. 12 is substantially like that described for Fig. 9. The' channel element 92 pivots on the rivets 95 and 98 for swinging the clamping member 93 out of the upright position prior to engagement of the slide fastener 02aand 02b and for subsequently returning the member 93 to the upright poslistion for engaging the closing elements Hi and pressing together the opposed areas of the resilient marginal portions of the closing elements 72 and 13, It and 15 at the respective ends 9901 and 93a of the clamping element 931) and against the slide fastener elements 32a and 921) while also pressing the closing elements 12 and 13 against the backing plate in sealing relation '1 therewith. The runner 83 including the pulltab 83b is enclosed within the clamping element 93b. An effective end seal of the closure is thus provided.

An alternative end sealing arrangement illustrated in Figs. 15 to 19 includes the sealing closure shown in Figs. 2 and 3 similarly secured at the margins 85a and 85b of the opening in the partition 85, the covering and reinforcing strip 86, a pair of covering strips I00 and IM at the respective faces of the partition, and a clamping structure i02for sealing at the ends of the closing elements 12 to 15. The covering strips I00, i0l of flexible material such as woven fabric coated or impregnated with rubber or other rubber-like material are secured to the end of the sealing closure and to the partition bya suitable adhesive material, or by sewing, or both, as shown especially in Figs. 15 and 16, formclosing the end of the closure and preventing leakage of fluid therefrom. At the region I03 of these coverin strips E00, l9l the respective pairs of closing elements 12 and 73, 14 and 15 are adhered together by a suitable adhesive material at the opposing areas of the marginal portions for further sealing the closure.

The clamping structure I02 is disposed adjacent the margins of the covering strips I00, NH, and includes a backing plate M4 at a face of the partition and a flexible clamping member I05 at the other face of the partition. The backing plate I04 of suitable stiff material is adhered in position by a suitable adhesive material, and has a channel portion i04a for fitting snugly about the closing elements l2, l3, asshown in Fig. 19, and for providing backing support of the latter,

The flexible clamping member I05 of resilient rubber or other rubber-like material, molded and vulcanized to the form shown, has a hollow body portion l05a capable of enclosing the runner 89 and the pull-tab 93b and has flange portions l05b, i05c and NM for seating against the wall of the partition 85. The flange portion i050 is, preferably, adhered to the margins 95a and 85b and to the closing elements I4 and 15 by a suitable adhesive material. The sidewalls of the hollow body portion l05a support the base por- Adjusting the screw 93a of the clamping member 93 disposes the clamping element 931) for tions of the closing elements I4 and I5 as shown in Fig. 17, while a depending margin Ie opposite the flange portion I050 presses resiliently against the closing elements I4 and 15. This pressing action seals the opposing areas of the marginal portions of the closing elements 14 and I and presses the slide fastener 02a and 82b.

the hollow body I05a for providing further pressing action of the depending margin I05e against the closing elements and slide fastener.

In the operation of the closure, the hollow body portion N51; is lifted and flexed about the flange portion I050 by manipulating the projecting portion I05 thus raising the depending margin I05e away from the closing elements I4 and I5. The slidefastener 82a and 82b is then engaged and the runner 83 is disposed within the hollow body portion, as shown in Fig. 16, after which the hollow body portion is returned to the position shown in the drawings thereby permitting the depending margin I05e to press against the closing elements and slide fastener as described hereinabove and sealing the end of the closure.

Fig. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the invention including adjacent margins H0 and III of flexible material, such, for example, as woven fabric, and a pair of closing elements 2 and H3 of resilient rubber or other rubber-like material or other suitable flexible material disposed at a face of th margins in overlapping relation to one another. Fastener means, such, for example, as a slide fastener H4, may be provided for detachably uniting the margins.

The closing elements H2 and H3 may be secured to the respective margins by an adhesive such as rubber cement, for example. Preferably, these elements H2 and H3 are molded and vulcanized integrally with the margins H0 and III, the faces of the margins having a thin coating I I00, and I I0b, I Ha and lb of rubber.

Each closing element comprises a base portion H2a, H3a at a face of one of the margins H0, HI and a laterally depending portion H2b, 3b terminating in a resilient marginal portion Iii, I I6 including a sealing surface I I5a, I I9, the marginal portion tapering to an edge H1, H8. The parts are constructed and arranged substantially in the manner described for the sealing closure shown in Figs. 1 and 1A, except that the laterally depending portion H3b has additionally a sealing surface H9 against which the edge III of the marginal portion H5 presses in sliding contact during engagement of the margins for providing a further seal by lip-action of the edge Ill, while opposing areas adjacent the edges III- margins H0 and III and even to a large extent during twisting of these margins. 3

The sealing closure arrangement shown in ,Fig. 5 is especially useful for some conditions where greater flexibility of the laterally depending'portions of the closing elements is desirable than that flexibility permitted by th constructions shown in Figs. 1 and 2, for example. In Fig. 5 a pair of closing elements I40 and I of resilient rubber or other rubber-like material are molded and vulcanized integral with and at a face of adjacent flexible margins I44 and I45 of woven fabric, for example. For increased flexibility, each closing element I 40, III has a groove I42, I43 at the side adjacent a slide fastener I40 and at the junction of HI base portion 011, la and a laterally depending portion l40b, III!) for providing for a lesser wall thickness of the closing element at this region thereby facilitating flexure of the laterally depending portion during bending of the margin I44, I45 while main-'' taining adequate resilient pressure for initial sealing. Each laterally depending portion has a resilient marginal portion I41, I40 tapering to an edge I49, I50. The edge I50 of the closing element MI is in sliding contact with a sealing surface I5I of the closing element I40 to provide aportion I" of the element I40 may, if desired,

be of lesser extent than that of the marginal portion I48 for preventing accidental damage to the marginal portion I41 by reason of the edge I40 becoming caught between the slide fastener elements during the engaging of the latter.

These and other variations may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as it is defined in the following claims.

I claimi 1. A sealing closure for adjacent margins, said closure comprising for said margins respectively a sealing surface and a closing element for overlapping said surface, said element having a marginal portion tapering to an edge for sealing by lip-action of said edge in contact'with said surface while opposing areas on said surface and said element which trail said edge are maintained in spaced-apart relation.-

2. A sealing closure for adjacent margins, said closure comprising a pair of elements for closing said margins by an overlapping relation of said elements, at least one of said elements having a flexible marginal portion tapering to an edge for contacting the other said element in sealing relation therewith by lip-action of said. edge.

3. A sealing closure for adjacent margins, said closure comprising a pair of elements for closing said margins by an overlapping relation of said elements, each of said elements having a flexible marginal portion'tapering to an edge for contacting the other of said elements in sealing relation 'therewith by lip-action of said edge.

' 4. A sealing closure for adjacent margins, said closure comprising a pair of elements for closing said margins by an overlapping relation of said elements, each of said elements having a flexible marginal portion tapering to an edge for sealing by lip-action of said edge in contact with the other of said elements while opposing areas on said elements adjacent the sealing edges are maintained in spaced-apart relation 5. A sealinl closure for adjacent margins, said closure comprising a pair of elements for closing said margins by an overlapping relation of said elements, one oi said elements having a sealing surface and the other of said elements having a resilient marginal portion taperingto an edge for sealing by lip-action of said edge in contact with said surface, the parts being constructed and arranged so that said marginal portion is resiliently held flexed against said surface while opposing areas on said elements adjacent said edge are maintained in spaced-apart relation.

6. A sealing closure for adjacent double-faced margins, said closure comprising at a face of the margins a pair oi elements for closing said margins by an overlapping relation of said elements, a second pair of elements at the other face of said margins for closing the latter by an overlapping relation of the second pair of elements,

at least one element of each said pair having a flexible marginal portion tapering to an edge for contacting the other said element in sealing relation therewith by lip-action of said edge.

'1. A closure for sealing adjacent separable margins, said closure comprising fastener means for detachably uniting said margins, a. pair of elements for closing the margins by an overlapping relation of said elements, one oi said elements having a flexible marginal portion tapering to an edge for contacting the other element in sealing relation therewithby lip-action of said edge, and additional means for sealing an end of the closure.

8. A closure for sealing adjacent separable margins. said closure comprising slide fastener means including a runner for detachably uniting said margins, a, pair of flexible elements for closing the margins by an overlapping relation of said elements, one of said elements having a resilient marginal portion tapering to an edge for sealing by lip-action of said edge in contact with the other said element, and means including a clamp ing structure for sealing an end of the closure, said structure having a depressed portion for housing said runner and having a depending margin for pressing said elements together in scaling relation at the region of the overlapping areas of said elements.

9. A sealing closure i or adjacent separable margins, said closure comprising slide fastener means including a runner for detachably uniting said margins, a pair of flexible lements for closing the margins by an overlapping relation of said elements, one of said elements having a resilient marginal portion tapering to an edge for contacting the other said element in sealing relation therewith by lip-action of said edge, the parts be-- ing constructed and arranged so that said marginal portion is resiliently held flexed against the gether in sealing relation at the region of their.

overlapping areas.

10. A closure for sealing adjacent separable margins, said closure comprising fastener means for detachably uniting said margins, a pair of elements for closing the margins by an overlapping relation of said elements, one of said elements having a flexible marginal portion tapering to an edge for contacting the other element in sealing relation therewith by lip-action of said edge, and means for sealing an end of the closure, the sealing means comprising a clamping structure for pressing said elements together in sealing relation at the region of their overlappin areas.

'11. A sealing closure for adjacent margins, said closure comprising a pair of elements for closing said marglnsby an overlapping relation of said elements, at least one of said elements having a marginal portion of elastic rubber-like material tapering to an edge forcontacting the other said element in sealing relation therewith by lip-action of said edge.

12. A sealing closure for adjacent margins, said closure comprising slide fastener means for dedetachably uniting said margins, a sealing surface at one of said margins, and a closing element at the other margin, said element having a flexible marginal portion tapering to an edge for contacting said surface in sealing relation therewith by lip action of said edge.

13. A sealing closure for adjacent margins, said closure comprising slide fastener means for detachably uniting said margins, a pair of elements of elastic rubber-like material for closing said margins, said elements comprising supporting base portions and portions projecting laterally therefrom toward each other, at least one of the projecting portions tapering to an edge for contacting the other projecting portion in sealing relation therewith by lip-action of said edge, and said supporting base portions and projecting portions having a recess beneath the same for accommodation of said fastener means.

CARROLL P. KRUPP. 

